inboard engine painting

[hyak]

Hi there.

I have a 16HP Kubota engine that I'm putting into my 32 foot sailboat shortly and i'm hoping to paint it and make it look a little nicer. Its currently sitting in my garage which makes life a bit easier. I plan on taking off any parts that are easily removable and sand blasting and painting them as well as painting the rest of the engine. I am wondering if anyone has any tips on what I should and shouldn't remove, best way to prep the rest of the engine, what paint to use and any other helpful tips or information.

Thanks very much!

[jamhass]

In my opinion (having rebuilt many auto engines) I would NOT sandblast. The down-side risk of getting grit inside is simply too great, and nigh impossible to adequately clean without major effort.

Degrease well with commercial engine cleaners, rinse and dry well. Wire brush as needed (a dremel or similar for tight areas works well) and use a metal-prep (Ospho or similar), paint with engine paint (self-priming if available).

[Dave852]

Consider sandblasting with dry ice.

[Sailmonkey]

I’ll 2nd the NO to sandblasting!!

Clean with an engine degreaser, knock off any loose paint or rust, prime with ospho or some other rusty steel converter, then paint with a color of your choosing.

[Lepke]

I've sandblasted way more than 100 engines. It works much better than wire brushing. If the engine interior access is sealed and the outside properly cleaned after, it's probably safer than honing cylinders.
My engines and the engines my customers ran my way went much longer between overhauls than the same engines rebuilt or run by other people. Mostly Detroits.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Lepke

I've sandblasted way more than 100 engines. It works much better than wire brushing. If the engine interior access is sealed and the outside properly cleaned after, it's probably safer than honing cylinders.
My engines and the engines my customers ran my way went much longer between overhauls than the same engines rebuilt or run by other people. Mostly Detroits.

To be fair……a Detroit (53, 71, and 92) could ingest cats with no oil in the crankcase and still run just fine. As an added bonus you could hear them ingesting cats from 2 miles away.

[Cheechako]

I would not sandblast. Pressure wash if you want, use a wire wheel on a brush or grinder if you want. Sandblasting probably risks more than it gains.
If you are rebuilding an engine and the block is stripped then sure blast away.
If you must blast use rubber barriers where ever you are trying to protect parts. The sand bounces right off, but will go right through a lot of things.

I wouldn't remove the injection pump unless you want to mess around with getting things right again.

[s/v Jedi]

I would use these new Milwaukee grinders with Roloc system abrasives instead of blasting or wire wheeling.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I would use these new Milwaukee grinders with Roloc system abrasives instead of blasting or wire wheeling.

Good idea. They are air only though, right?

NO SANDBLASTING. You WILL get sand in there.

Degrease, paint. Besides, it’s below deck so don’t get all crazy. Put the effort into a nice cabin.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Good idea. They are air only though, right?



.

Those little guys are electric.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, hyak.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Those little guys are electric.

Thanks! I looked online quite a bit a couple years ago and all I could find is air. I have air but it’s a pain sometimes.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Thanks! I looked online quite a bit a couple years ago and all I could find is air. I have air but it’s a pain sometimes.

They are rather new but I could order both the right-angle and straight version from HomeDepot. They are the 12V versions.

[MicHughV]

huh...I thought this was going to be a thread about art.....was hoping to see an engine with a pink color...

[nuku34]

Maybe a bit off thread, but IMHO 16hp is way too small for a 32ft yacht. Just saying...